How Much Does Local SEO Cost? A Plain Guide
Most small business owners ask me the same thing first: what will this cost? The honest answer is that it depends on what you already have in place. Here is how I think about the cost of local SEO, so you can judge any quote you receive.
What you are actually paying for
Local SEO is a set of jobs rather than one task. A good plan usually covers a complete Google Business Profile, a website that explains your services clearly, consistent listings on other sites, and a steady flow of genuine reviews. Some of this is one-off setup. The rest is ongoing work.
One-off work and monthly work
One-off work includes building or fixing your site, writing the core pages, setting up your profile and building your first listings. It is front-loaded because everything else depends on it.
Monthly work keeps the gains. That means profile updates, new content, review requests and a report on what changed. Without it, listings drift out of date and competitors catch up.
What my prices look like
My launch pricing is published. The Starter package is £349 one-off and covers a five-page website, content, Business Profile setup, core listings, a review system and a baseline report. Ongoing care then runs from £105 to £279 a month depending on how much work you need. You can see the full list on the pricing page.
How to judge a quote
- Ask exactly what is included each month, in writing.
- Ask what you will receive as a report, and how often.
- Be wary of anyone who guarantees a ranking. Google decides that, not the provider.
- Check whether the website and listings are yours if you leave.
Is it worth it?
That depends on what a new customer is worth to you. If one extra job covers a month of care, the maths is simple. I cannot promise a result, but I can show you the baseline and track the change, so you decide with real numbers.
If you want a view of your own situation before spending anything, ask for the free audit. For a broader look at what I offer, see the services page.
What makes the cost go up or down
Several things change the amount of work. A business that already has a clean website and a verified profile needs less than one starting from nothing. A crowded city centre takes more effort than a quiet town. Serving several areas means more pages and more listings to keep tidy.
The state of your current listings matters too. If your name, address or phone number differ across directories, that has to be cleaned up before new work can help. I check this in the audit so it never comes as a surprise.
Add-ons and extras
Some work sits outside a plan. An extra page is £55, a single blog post is £27, a bundle of four posts is £97, and fixes to an existing site start from £139. These are one-off prices, and I list them so you can add only what you need.
What is not included
Your domain name and hosting are not included. You can pay the provider directly, or I can arrange them for an additional charge. My plans are for service businesses and are not built for online shops. If your needs differ, I will quote a custom plan after we talk.
A simple way to start
Begin with the free audit. It shows what is missing, and you can then choose the smallest plan that fixes it. Many owners start with the Starter package and add monthly care once the foundations are done. There is no pressure to sign up for more than you need.